Lesson learned from this. Carry a spare. I didn’t because of weight of the van going over 3.5t. However, I’d advise reducing weight where possible and carrying a spare. It’s essential, and if I could turn back the clock I’d have removed less needed things to carry a spare. Costly mistake on my part but we live and learn. I said I’d always be honest with you guys and share the truths of life, and on this journey around the world. Even if my mistakes sound obvious/silly, I’ll still share them with you because this is real life, people make mistakes. One last thing, this isn’t a reflection of Montenegro as a whole. I absolutely love this country, it’s one of the most beautiful in Europe, and other than this one isolated experience the people have been amazing, kind and welcoming. I advise anyone to visit.

Good to see your channel is growing! Just in terms of suggestions, feel free to stratify the whole ‘how to build a van’ narrative. How do you get warm water? How did you do the electrics? How does the whole solar panel system work? (So on the the one hand how to install solar panels, on the otherr how to install the electrics throughout the van) Looking at the views, these topics seem to appeal the most. And so they donfor me!. For one, because the vlogging is genuine. For two, because it’s stuff that people simply don’t know. Same for the plumbing; how the hell does that work? Or even how to build a drawer? That type stuff. If you done it once, you know. But thats the thing; people have never done this stuff. Just trying to help here if you’re looking for content that appeals ‘the most’ to people. Either way, great stuff! Just discovered this channel and now im literally in action mode to realise the van life according to your principles.

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

Appreciate you sharing this. I’ve got an electrics video coming up so hopefully this helps. I’ll also do water and waste to show what I’ve used in my van. 🙏

SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST DISGUSTING! I AM SO SORRY THIS HAPPENED TO YOU!💜

You always travel with Two spares Two tyres in case the service station did not have the size. Make sure the Jack is heavy duty That’s a big van . What power gun you got to knock the nuts off.you need axel stands ad well, once it’s jacked up , axel stands under Lower in to Stands so everything is safe.

Stupidity is exspensive

Honest folks are out there, here's to meeting more of them 🙌🏼

Thanks for being honest and telling us the good and the bad from all sides. It is good to look at the positive of everything. My fear is snakes do i know just how you felt with the Spiders. Take care.

Thank you for sharing this. I will keep a spare. Great advice.

Glad all worked out ok - hate getting ripped off but how nice that you then met perfectly decent, helpful, genuine people so it restores your faith. So pleased to see your subs growing! Well deserved

I find it crazy you drive a van around Europe with no spare wheel !! 🤯

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

Lesson learned 🛞

@danhurley6152

Ай бұрын

Could you sell the tail lift complete with motor etc that's a huge amount of weight and perhaps make a lighter fold don one to sit out on 😊

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

@@danhurley6152 I may do this. Then I could have a lock and it will still be an extra security layer before the shutter (that’s my main concern), and it will be a lot lighter. Appreciate you sharing 🙏

Just discovered your channel, great videos so far! Keep it up mate! :D be wary of taxi drivers as they can rip you off too

Spare tyre is the basics mate........

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

Lesson learned the hard way 🙏

You can buy a basic tyre repair kit for not a lot of money. Then you just need a electric pump that plugs into your cigarette lighter socket.

If you get a nail or screw in your tire you can easily fix it with a tire plugging kit. I've had great success with the kits that use a short piece of fiber cord that is covered with sticky rubber. You'll also need an air compressor. Another use for an air compressor is if you find yourself stuck in sand. Letting air out of your tires will give you more traction.

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

Thank you for this info. Handy tip with the sand situation too 🙏

@cornelius2993

Ай бұрын

There are also these flat tire "spray cans". They saved us in Greece. Had also bought a cheap compressor in turkey, but that was crap and didn't do a thing. Luckily we had a big bicycle pump with us and that did the job until 4 bars until it broke and couldn't hold the pressure anymore. We managed to get to a tire dealer, where the air began to escape again and got away from this whole adventure with a 150€ bill. And believe it or not, it wasn't only a small hole: The tire blew up, with a loud bang on the highway . A 15-20cm long "scar" at the inner side of the tire. Before the bang the car started shaking. 1 year later back home our front tires were so worn out, that one began loosing air, after driving over the curb. This time the "sticky patch flat tire repair kit" was sufficient to get to the tire dealer. Meanwhile we had a good compressor. Before someone complains about missing spare again: We're driving a 30 years old Mercedes Parcel delivery van with special produced rims for the German Federal Mail service. And you're not allowed, to use anything else. They aren't produced anymore since over 2 decades and very hard to find. Cheers.

You know in a situation like yours there’s two ways to handle it. You can let it ruin your day or not. Just go inside your rig, have a scream and go on. You will get over it. Stay positive and karma will treat you well Very curious to find out what you did to arrange visa and stuff to head to Egypt. Enjoying your vlogs so thx again. Talk soon ! Greets from Brussel

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

🙏When we have the visas sorted I’ll let you know. But from what I’ve read the process is relatively easy.

Hello Si, By the end of this you may be an expert in haggling. If the number seems high always haggle. Their first quote is their top number and not final number, a little haggle you would have got them down to €170, quite likely, they know you’re a tourist and they’ll quote you higher than local. In certain cultures it’s rude actually not to haggle, especially in Middle East. Not all occasions, but it’s a general rule. Definitely Turkey. One tip is the first price you are quoted just look as shocked as possible, and elongate some vowels, “ohhhhhh”, “ahhhhh”, act like you’ve been bit by a spider. Then they’ll say it’s good price, but don’t entertain it, then they’ll ask you what’s price you’re thinking. And give them something more appropriate. And don’t budge. Don’t meet in the middle, just walk away if they don’t entertain it something near to where you are. Then you’ll find the real prices coming in as you start to walk away. In Bali, i was getting 80% discounts from their quotes, for their wood sculptures, leathers, clothes, bags, etc. i was doing it for the sport. We’re talking getting people down to £2 from £10. Obviously car mechanic stuff I’m sure you can get 20%-30% discounts just from the haggling effort. Some legends would do it for basically free, which is awesome, then you can even pay them more than they offer if you like them. I’ve not been to Montenegro. But basically everywhere except for UK and Northern Europe haggle, imo. :)

Why don’t you take that tailgate lift off , reduce the wait and get a spare wheel

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

I’m going to reduce the weight and get a spare 👍 Keeping the tailgate as it’s good for security especially just with a shutter door like mine

M8 you can buy a can of temporary repair in a can. Fills tyre with foam type styff, seals hole, inflates tyre. There 8 quid. "Holts Tyreweld Puncture Sealant 500ml, Emergency Tyre Repair Foam"

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

Thank you for this mate. I’m going to get some over the next few days when I get back in to Serbia and to Okov 🙏

@abyssaldision5134

6 күн бұрын

This won't fix if your tyre is ruptured... better use regular plugs for fixing punctures!

There’s no such thing as a positive or negative experience, there are just experiences

sorry you were ripped off and what a nightmare with those tunnels. These things always happen on a weekend or bank holiday, you can be sure of that!.

I saw a small motorhome towing a small car on a trailer the other day , seems a good backup plan , / or leave van and use car for trips etc ..options .,

It is dangerous and against the law to put a "car" tyre on a camper .It is not only about the right dimension but also about the LOAD INDEX.For instance here in Balkans Michelin Agilis Camping is around 350-450 eur for pair.A lot of car parts are cheaper on the island then on continent. Drive safe

In the future invest in some all terrain tires which will have reinforced side walls

Hi, I have recently found your channel and I love everything about it. You're gorgeous inside and out ❤,plus your content is thoughtful, informative and well presented. Great job X p.s. did you know that there is another channel with the same name.

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

Kind words thank you ☺️🫶 Yes I saw, I think there’s a couple but this has the most subs now 👏

problem is the guy picking you up also ripped you off. You just asked to be ripped off. I think it is well known that the problem with the second world or whatever Bosnia is is that they are xenophobic and have different rates for locals (speak language) versus tourists. It's unfortunate but they do it to protect their own interests. Interesting story though.

Going threw them tunnels my heart would of been in my stomach watching the van through the mirror

Shit always happens on a sunday🙄

How do you get round the euro visa? Only being able to stay for 90 days & not return for 180? Love the channel 🎉

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

90 days in EU and then time in Balkans. Also on way to Turkey and then Egypt, then will return and do the coast of Europe. Then the rest of the world 🌍

@lwi3157

Ай бұрын

@@LIFEOFSIofficial brilliant si, keep up the good fight great videos

Hey, video tape that make people more aware. There’s a man here in the USA video recording when ever he’s around people. How many times it has helped him. Just a suggestion. ❤

Mate i broke down in spain, in my car ! For alternator and battery, the bastard charged me 750 euros , !!! I had to sleep in the car for 2 days outside his workshop, and the funny thing was his card machine wasnt working, had to get taxi to cash point another 40 euros, to get the prick his cash, also the recovery truck was 120 euros !!! The car was only worth £500, they rip the ass out of foreigners. 🙁

we sometimes need these obvious lessons to allow us to become more focussed on what we are doing and the ability to plan ahead is crucial

Go to Croatia Si, Primosten. Have a Couple of friends there and in Split Beautiful Country Like Serbia 👍🖖

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

Travelled through Croatia for about 5 weeks before Montenegro. I agree, beautiful place. Should be in Serbia in a week or so ✌️

I would have a spare wheel and tyre. Then you’re all ok .

Being from east europe this is typical. Any advantage dwelling in balkans over italy,spain,france,portugal? Food prices should he similar in supermarkets.

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

90 day EU rule, it’s BS. But tbh I love the Balkans ✌️

To be fair, I'm sure theres not that much weight difference between carrying a spare wheel and not in the great sceme of things is there?

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

Certainly not for the amount I paid to get it fixed 👍

Hardly ripped off when compared to that scenario in the UK 😅😅

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

That’s true, London was spanking me every month 🤣

you have a lot to learn.... no one repeat no one goes without the spare! lose the tailgate if you are worried bout weight...get clued up you got a longway to go....

It doesn't surprise me at all, them taking advantage of people in a bad situation I mean. Something very similar happened to me at the entrance of Krk island in Croatia. They took the money, but still didn't repair my car properly

You say you don’t have a spare tire because of the weight? Please explain. If you are travelling a lot this will happen again and you might be even further from a garage next time.

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

I have a jack and then I’ll taxi. But either way, I think I’m going to reduce weight and replace with a spare

It would be worth getting some axle stands as well, never leave a vehicle on a jack while going to a tyre fitters.

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏

Dang, you are goooood looking,

There should be a jack etc under your seat??

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

🙏 Under the footwell in this van, but it had been removed

@Zappa943

Ай бұрын

Plonker

if they charged you 300 and were going to charge the other guy 170 then is the 130 extra not for transporting your van?

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

300 for transporting the van, 300 for the tyres. 600 total. No problem paying for the transportation, that’s people time 🕰️ but tyres, that’s material, should be same price for everyone.

Hi I've just subscribed to your channel. Did you know that there is another Life of Si channel. I think that is why I couldn't find your channel? ❤😊

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏 Yes someone else mentioned, pleased you found me 👏

I can empathise, l've been driving & motorcycling 40 years and haven't had a puncture yet! Still, even though l might have gone without a spare, l'd have had slime & a pump so l could easily get to a tyre place.

Travelers' tales. Is there a spray foam you can use as a temporary fix? I used one once on a trailer and it worked.

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏

Hey Si, something I've been wondering is did you have to get a category C license to drive your van? I have a basic category B and noticed this only covers vehicles up to 3500kg. Most box vans I've seen are around there, but will go over the limit if any renovations are done. Love your videos mate, much love from NI

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

Just a category C mate. Yes, you need to be careful of weight though, if you’re going over weight, look at changing it on the V5, you can potentially get up to 4.25t with new leaf springs. But check the van and with the dvla etc. I haven’t done it.

@jameskane-cd6gs

Ай бұрын

@LIFEOFSIofficial cheers mate appreciate the info 🙏

Great video please do share the good & bad of your journey very interesting. I do not like spiders 🕷️ ❤

no spare tire. then complains to get 2 tires changed for 300€...ok

If not a spare tyre.. at least one or two of these flat tyre fillers, which fills the tyres until you get to a garage.. Or just buy one spare wheel and tyre 🤦🏻‍♀️

Do you have worldwide breakdown insurance or it’s too far out for them

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

Unfortunately it doesn’t cover the Balkans 🙃

Man I discovered your channel yesterday And It feel like looking at the male version of me 🤣 I gave you my evening watch time And that’s my conclusion Ha! Keep going you do very well 👌🏻 (ps : I got robbed last week all my 1000£ gone computer phone just cos I needed to take my partner to the hospital in emergency I didn’t think twice, especially not about the things I never leave in my van and here it was… all gone ) Let’s continue share the good and the bad days cos this is maybe a cool vanlife but this is still “LiFE “ like I always say;)🙌🤣👌🏻

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

Sorry to hear about you being robbed. Karma will catch up with them, and hopefully good karma is coming your way 🫶

@pleasedonttellbuddha6432

Ай бұрын

@@LIFEOFSIofficial no doubt;)

Kindness will always over ride the rip off cretins

Think I might have got a taxi to a scrapyard for a wheel maybe ? Or, spare on the roof/ underneath/ on the tail lift ( etc).. Top tip for you . When you next need to get a wheel off, loosen the wheel nuts one turn then drive a couple of metres until the cans weight breaks the rust seal between hub and wheel cos they sure can bond together ! Then Jack it up and remove the wheel.. just saying…

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing Tim 🙏 Have a repair kit now that will save me until I can get to a garage and get it replaced. Noted on the getting the wheel off 🙏

Just looked this up, uk price is £200/235.00 euro delivered, adding on service charge/ changing and they only charged 30 euros per tyre for changing. Dont know what you are winging about, seems very reasonable to me, that do you want, fitting for free? Tosser!!

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

So is everything to be charged at UK prices all over the world? It would have cost a local €170, they charged me €300. I’m not paying for time, I’m paying for tyres, there’s no justification. Even tyre fitting in the UK costs £10, and you’re saying €30 is okay.

@firmbutton6485

Ай бұрын

He was charged double what he would have charged anyone else.

Constant travelling without a spare is just asking for trouble weight penalty or not.

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

Fitting talking about weight with your name 🥲

Please understand that as citizens of a 3rd country, you are only able to stay in our zone for maximum 90 in every 180 days AND you are not allowed to work in the EU.

@susanaQ382

Ай бұрын

Please understand that as human from the planet hate is one of the worst desease

@jellybean8167

Ай бұрын

@@susanaQ382 Oh that`s a bit rich isn`t it? knowing what your country has said about the EU over the past 20/30 years. now that is HATE!!

@denisescally7090

Ай бұрын

​@@jellybean8167 What has our country said about the EU exactly?

@jellybean8167

Ай бұрын

@@denisescally7090 Too much to detail here, but google verbal vomits of brit. politicans and former MEP`s. If you never heard it before you will be ashamed and disgusted!.

Mate buy a spare tyre

@simonrichardson5203

Ай бұрын

100% let the air out it will weigh less

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

I will 🙏

You wouldn't have had to do any of it if you had SPARE TYRE!!!!

You look like David Beckham

@LIFEOFSIofficial

Ай бұрын

I’ve heard a few, but David Beckham is a first 🥲

@John-oi8mt

Ай бұрын

What an insult!🤦‍♂️

Kind of "Clickbaity" here ...

@firmbutton6485

Ай бұрын

Why?

@zaphodbeeblerock

Ай бұрын

@@firmbutton6485 "Ripping Off" is sth else than having paid a liitle bit more than the normal price in an emergency situation... But maybe he realy got "ripped-off" without realizing it... The defekt wheel between the borders was no accident, and the coffee-owner, the pick-up-guy and the mechanic have some "interesting" business together ... hm

I never comment on things like this usually scroll on bye. But hell fire. Come on No spare and trying to then slate a company in an entirely different country. The word Entitled springs to mind.

@susanaQ382

Ай бұрын

What difference does it make that the company is in a different country? Are they allowed to rip people off then? He’s sharing his journey to HELP PEOPLE learn from his mistakes, he also explained why he didn’t have a spare. And yet there’s still people like you that show no appreciation for the honesty and truthful advice. The word, entitled comes to mind.